Lethal Lust: An Excerpt of Kate White's New Novel

Here's a sneak peek at Hush, the naughty, pulse-pounding thriller from Cosmo's editor-in-chief, Kate White, that just hit shelves. Get your copy here.

By
Kate White

Mar 03, 2010

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Lake Warren is thrilled when a swanky Manhattan fertility clinic hires her as a marketing consultant. It's rewarding work, and since she's also right in the middle of an unpleasant divorce, she's hoping this project will keep her busy during a difficult time.

But things get complicated when Lake meets Dr. Mark Keaton, who's also just been hired by the Advanced Fertility Clinic. Not only is he gorgeous and sexy, but he's also wickedly flirtatious. It's been ages since Lake has felt any kind of chemistry with a man, and the sparks between her and Keaton go off like crazy.

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When the staff arranges for a dinner to welcome Keaton to the practice, he invites Lake to come. They steal glances at each other from across the table all night long until, finally, Lake excuses herself to use the ladies' room. Keaton follows her, and they discreetly arrange to meet back at his apartment once the dinner party disperses. It's a professional no-no, but Lake can hardly wait to get this irresistible man alone. Little does she know how utterly dangerous it will be....

Too Tempting to Resist

When the buzzer sounded, Lake pushed the door and walked into the lobby. One wall was mirrored, and she glanced at it. Her cheeks were flushed, her gray-green eyes glowing. She felt charged with desire.

She knocked, and Keaton opened the door, smiling. His jacket was off and his shirtsleeves were rolled, revealing his tan, muscular arms.

"I was beginning to worry you'd changed your mind," he teased. She took off her coat and handed it to him before following him into the apartment.

The place was impressive: high ceilings and a large terrace beyond French doors.

"Would you like a brandy?" he asked.

"I'd love one," she said.

Keaton disappeared into the kitchen. Moments later, he returned with two brandies. "Why don't we go out to the terrace?" He opened the doors and motioned her outside. The view was dazzling: buildings studded with lights and set against a blue-black sky.

"Wow," she said as a soft breeze lifted the back of her long, dark hair.

"I practically live out here," he said. "Sometimes I even sleep here."

She walked toward the outside wall, peering over. "You're not afraid of heights, are you?" he asked. She smelled his musky cologne as he slowly came up behind her.

"No," she said. "That was my husband's fear." She regretted her words as soon as she said them.

"Husband?"

"We...ended things a few months ago." She turned it over to him. "You've never been married?"

"Briefly."

"And does it take as long as they say to recover?" she asked.

"It's been rough for you, huh?"

"Well, in the beginning, yes," she said. "But I'm feeling good again."

"Because of…?"

"Well...more because of not having to answer to anyone. Getting all the crumbs I want in the bed."

She couldn't believe she'd said the word bed. Her cheeks flushed.

"You'll see that things only get better from here," he said, holding her gaze. His eyes were strikingly blue.

"That's nice to know," she replied. Was he saying tonight things would only get better? The thought made her tremble. And then he leaned down and kissed her softly. It felt so good, it almost hurt when he pulled away.

"Let's go inside," he whispered.

Dangerous Pleasure

His bedroom was spare, Zenlike. He stopped in front of the bed and unzipped her dress, letting it drop to the floor. She stepped out of it and flicked off her sandals.

"You're beautiful," he said.

He laid her down on the bed and tugged off her underwear. Then he slipped off his pants.

He kissed her again, pinching her nipples so that each time, blood rushed between her legs. As she writhed, he began to descend her body, trailing his tongue along her abdomen and then lower. She gasped as he parted her legs with his hands and slid his tongue into her. Slowly, he began to circle his tongue, and it was only seconds before she exploded into spasms of orgasm.

Rolling over, he stripped off his boxer briefs and reached toward the bedside table, pulling out a condom. After slipping it on, he entered her. He was large, filling her up. He began to thrust slowly, watching her face intently with each stroke. She moaned as another climax began to build.

Suddenly, he pulled out of her and flipped her over, urging her up onto her knees with his hands. Then he was inside her from behind, grasping her hips and driving deeper into her. She climaxed again, letting out a cry of release. His chest grew damp against her back, and finally, she felt him shudder as he climaxed inside her.

He turned over and pulled her to him. Soon they drifted off to sleep.

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A Terrifying Discovery

Lake woke up at 3 o'clock, completely alert. Realizing she wasn't going to fall back asleep, she slid out of bed. She slipped on her clothes, then tiptoed out the door.

She was about to settle on the sofa when her eyes strayed to the dark terrace. She opened the French doors and snuck outside. Easing onto a chaise longue, she leaned back and let her eyes drop. It wasn't long before she fell asleep.

She awoke with a start. It took her a moment to figure out where she was. When she did, she forced herself up and back inside. The clock on the microwave across the room said 5:13.

She could tell Keaton had been up. The bedroom door, which she had closed behind her, was now open.

"Looking for me?" she said softly.

No answer.

As she entered the bedroom, she saw Keaton lying on his back. She jumped when she realized there was something big and dark next to him. Was it a dog, she wondered. She moved closer. She soon realized that it was actually a huge, dark bloodstain on the sheet. She glanced over at Keaton again. His eyes were open but blank, and his mouth was frozen in a grimace. On his neck was a long, bloodied gash, rippled with muscle.

Lake opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came out. Police, she thought. But how would it look if she called them? Instead, she just had to get out.